Chapter 1.1

I watched as the water pooled into puddles.

The rain have somewhat calmed… but still—

I let out another deep breath.

Just… I want to go home.

The metallic locker I’m leaning on, has progressively gotten colder.

Mm…

I pulled my legs closer.

Tightly holding onto myself.

Eventually it will…

Later I’ll be home.

…

…The outside just seems to blur.

It’s not even that strong now.

But… It's such a hassle to get sick.

If only mom was home.

…Though it’s not like there’s anything to do for tomorrow.

Ahhh…

I want to go home…

…

I looked behind, only to see no one.

Was that him?

...Did he go home already?

I could’ve sworn I heard someone.

Hah…

I leaned my head back on the locker.

…

Ah.

Right…

I turned to my bag, just sat idle.

Maybe I should at least open it.

Mm…

I slowly unzipped my bag, reaching for the letter.

It—doesn’t have anything written on the envelope.

Probably inside.

I gently tore it open, pulling out a folded paper that felt cold.

And as I unfolded it…

…

The rough but… smooth texture of the paper, brushed against my hand.

I fold it back to how it was.

Letting it retreat back to where it came from.

Returning it to my bag…

I close it firmly.

And watch the outside… still pouring.

Why must—

…

I—

Uhh…

I look at my knees.

Before resting my forehead against it.

Firmly holding onto myself.

As I listen to the rain fall.

It’s… peaceful.

…

But I—

I don’t… understand.

…

…I look up, staring at the ever calming weather.

Should I just go now?

But I’ll—

I settle, pushing my feet off the wooden platform.

Straightening myself before grabbing my bag.

The time…

I reach for my phone, flipping it open.

The blue pixels lit up.

Welcome…

It’s… six fifty.

No wonder it’s getting dark…

Although I left my bag open, I returned to where I sat; the wood platform.

I held my phone closed.

Then—leaned my shoulder back to the locker.

…It really doesn’t make sense.

I let out a sigh.

Letting my hand drop to my lap.

As my gaze falls to the wet concrete.

…It’s really cold now.

And I—

I should’ve eaten something earlier.

Even if it’s just… candy or something.

Maybe the vending machines…?

But… I’m already here.

Mm… I wonder if he’s still here.

He did say he’ll—

…I lift my phone, flipping it open.

Seven o’ four…

…I wandered through the phone.

Selecting different apps… a beep coming from each press—until I pressed the camera.

From a black screen, the grainy view got registered.

I held my phone up to eye-level.

Pointing it outside, and snapping a photo.

The loud shutter sound silenced even the rain for a moment.

…Looking at my gallery, it captured the rain outside.

But of course it’s super pixelated.

I shut my phone close, leaving it idle in my hand as I looked around.

For hours… no one’s been here, but me.

Maybe he really did leave already.

It’s just… a bit uncomfortable.

I look down to my shoes.

Which will get wet later…

…This is what I get.

Maybe if I wait a little longer.

Hah… so cold.

I leave my phone on my lap, holding onto my waist.

Just—embracing myself while… rocking back and forth.

This is killing me.

…Looking behind, no one’s there.

The hallway’s getting… darker.

The time’s—

Seven twenty…

I stood on both feet, holding onto the locker so I wouldn’t fall.

I crouch down to stuff my phone in my bag before zipping it close.

…Carrying it on my shoulder.

It’s weak already.

Who knows if it’ll get worse later.

Although I stopped by the entrance…

I took a step forward into the rain.

…Droplets fell on me immediately.

The strong wind blows against my hair.

Letting the cold seep thoroughly.

But—hah…

It’s better than being stuck there.

It’s not as bad… as I’d thought.

I don’t really remember the last time I got rained on.

…The road—barely even has cars.

Though, the bus stop…

No, I'm already wet anyway.

I pass through the silent way.

If the school just had dormitories… I wouldn’t have gotten wet like this.

Nor would I have had to wait there and—

…Maybe it’s just a prank.

But who would even bother?

It just seems outrageous…

I can’t bring myself to—

It would’ve been fine if it was genuine.

If it was… normal, even.

…Maybe if I just ignore it.

Then, as if fate had simply been waiting.

I looked up to see that the clouds had opened up.

Letting my hand out… no rain.

I got wet for nothing.

…Unbelievable.

If only I’d waited a little longer, but…

How frustrating.

I continue walking.

…It’s still cold.

I’m barely wet but—

I’ll stop by the convenience in the way.

Upon arriving at an intersection, I looked at both sides… and yeah, barely any cars.

I walked through the pedestrian and continued.

Usually there are people to watch while walking home…

Not this time I suppose.

As I turned a few more corners, there it was.

Crossing another road…

The bells chimed lightly as I pushed the door open.

The bright lights felt invasive, and the air conditioning prickled my skin.

I set my bag down to one of the tables.

Patting my skirt and reaching for my handkerchief.

I pressed it lightly against my face.

My hair, and the droplets still on my blazer.

Now…

I looked outside, still not raining.

I should leave already but… considering I’m here.

…I picked up my bag, hanging it back on my shoulder.

Then stepped forward to find something to eat.

Looking at food… ramen.

Hmm… I had ramen last night.

My gaze fell all over the place, until I saw the prepared meals.

…Do I just get a small onigiri?

I need dinner though.

But all the other things they have are…

Mm—I suppose this is fine.

I leaned close to pick up the cold onigiri.

Now—

As I held it in my hand, I kept walking around.

I turned to one aisle—suddenly hit in the face by their air conditioning.

Frozen cold I stood, closing my eyes as I stepped aside.

I forgot that it was there…

Looking for any snacks—or any drinks I could pick up.

But… didn’t really find any.

I turned to the cashier who immediately noticed me.

“Hello, do you have a point card?”

“No...”

He looks at the onigiri I put down and scans it, then turns to the monitor.

I immediately reach for my coins.

“It’s a hundred and twenty yen—do you need a bag?”

I shake my head and pick up the onigiri.

“What about the receipt?”

“...Yes, please.”

Then with the bell chimes, again—I step back out.

Now that the rain has settled, the cars have returned..

And the people are back.

I stand idle by the entrance, just ripping out the packaging.

With it in my hand, I tossed the plastic to the bin and returned to walking home.

Crossing… waiting before doing so.

The faint taste of salmon.

And the salty sea weed.

…I like this.

Doesn’t even have to be warm to eat.

My walk slowed down, simply focused on eating.

I stopped by the side of a road, under a tree.

Wait—

I stepped aside, water was dripping.

I watched the plants of a neighbor, simply beautiful.

Idly lit under the now active streetlight.

Then, I finished it.

I sprayed my hand with alcohol before continuing my walk down the familiar street and finally arriving home.

“Aihara,” it read.

Maybe I’ll get that cleaned next time.

…Opening the door, I let out a sigh of relief before locking the door behind me.

The darkness which pertains to every crevice loomed over me.

I sat down on the floor, taking off my somewhat wet loafers.

Stepping further inside, the quiet lingered.

I dropped my bag in the living room, before turning to the stairs.

Each step I made—light, yet my footsteps remain audible.

My hand reaches for my door, the weariness becoming unavoidable.

And as I finally stepped inside my room.

I dropped to my bed.

Just—

Finally here…